JWB
It was such a shame your UK trip did not work out last week, I know you would really of enjoyed checking out all those red and grey tractors at Newark.
In answer to your question about the engine side panels fitted to new M-F 1200 and 1505 tractors, it is my understanding they all had them when they left the dealers premises new, no it was not a legal requirement just a safety precaution, as Alan said many of them got taken off and put in the barn and eventually scrapped in their working days, so now rare items to find and the tractors do look complete to my eye when you see them with them on.
My memories of working a 1505 in the 1980's on a large Heston square baler were not good, the V8 Caterpillar engine had too much power when engaging the PTO to start the baler and we kept screwing off PTO shafts, just behind the clutch, even happening when starting the baler on engine idle, let alone if you had a few revs on the engine, it was not an easy job to replace and soon the 1505 went for "export" to Ireland and pastures greener, replaced by a Ford TW30.
Now the 1505 is a very rare tractor to find here in England.
You also mentioned the 2680 in the photo and I am pretty sure that series also had side panels fitted from new, very different shape to the 1200 and 1505, I know where there is a very original 2640 and it has them still in place.
Malcolm.